University of Memphis Athletics
Porter Leads Tigers Through First Full-Scale Scrimmage
Apr 02, 2010 | Football
April 2, 2010
MEMPHIS, TENN. - Head coach Larry Porter took his squad to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Friday afternoon for the team's first full-scale scrimmage of the spring practice session. The scrimmage, which was open just to media and Highland Hundred members, lasted about two hours and included 104 plays.
"I thought our number one defense dominated today," said Porter. "I thought they played strong from start to finish and had a presence throughout the scrimmage. We removed the coaches from the field and allowed the guys to play on their own, and I think we have improved and I look forward to continuing to make progress."
The offense managed four scores today with sophomore Tyler Bass throwing two touchdowns of 59 and 25 yards. His 59-yard strike was to Billy Foster on the 59th play of the scrimmage and his 25 yarder was to Marcus Rucker 20 plays later. Bass, who was in a black jersey after having shoulder surgery in the fall, finished the day having completed 9-of-12 passes for 136 yards and two TDs.
"I think we did well for us learning an all new offense and defense," said Tyler Bass. "I think we all made plays. The defense had four turnovers today which is great, and the offense did some good things. The offensive line did a good job of coming together and in protection with the quarterbacks changing. The running backs had their legs pumping and they were making cuts, and the receivers caught the ball and they ran with it, and that's all you can ask for."
Cannon Smith opened the scrimmage under center and worked several series, primarily against the No. 1 defense. He completed 7-of-12 passes for 59 yards and had a long of 13 yards to Jermaine McKenzie. McKenzie hauled in eight passes for 58 yards on the day. Andy Summerlin came in on the 26th play of the scrimmage and threw a pick that was grabbed by Marcus Ball on his first play. Summerlin was hit hard and left the game with an undisclosed injury.
Freshmen QBs Will Gilchrist and Ryan Williams also got reps under center. Gilchrist was 6-of-13 for 73 yards and Williams was 8-of-13 for 60 yards.
Lance Smith paced the running game with 90 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Gregory Ray had a solid performance with 59 yards on 10 carries. Smith scored the first TD of the game off a three-yard run with Bass in at quarterback. His longest run was a 47-yard sprint that set up his three-yard score. Marcus Hightower posted six carries for 14 yards and Brandon Hayes, a newcomer this spring from White Station High, had five carries for 13 yards, including a seven-yard TD run on the 90th play with Gilchrist at QB.
"In terms of our running backs, I think as time goes on, you are going to see we have plenty there," said Porter. "I am excited about what we are at the running back position and it will get even better as we move into the fall and so I am excited about that group. I think our receivers are very capable of being big-time threats for us. One thing we must improve is our timing and consistency on the deep throws. That will come once we get settled in with our quarterbacks."
Marcus Rucker led the receiving corps with 87 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, while Billy Foster totaled 74 yards and a TD on three receptions, including the 59-yard TD catch. Curtis Johnson (4-37), Dejarrius Adams (2-17) and Cam Baker (4-48) all had multiple receptions. Paulo Henriques hit all four of his PATs and on when the squad shifted to some quick special teams work, Curtis Johnson wowed the crowd with an 82-yard punt return.
Defensively, Marcus Ball registered two interceptions and John McArthur picked off Gilchrist on the 47th play. Charlie Bryant posted a sack for a loss of five yards, and also combined with Dontari Poe for a loss of a yard on a carry by Lance Smith. Winston Bowens, who was working with the defensive line for the first time in his career, logged a sack of Cannon Smith for a loss of four yards, while Mitch Huelsing also logged a sack. Several defenders were credited with pass breakups including Ball, Frank Trotter, Mohammed Seisay, Bowens and D.A. Griffin. Trotter also forced a fumble, and Lester Lawson recovered a fumble in the game.
The Tigers will return to the practice fields next week for the fourth week of spring practice, which will end with the Blue-Gray Game on April 17 at the Liberty Bowl. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
